Summary This position serves as a Senior Social Worker assigned to the VISN within the CSP; a clinical program that provides state-of-the-art continuum of services, education and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs. The incumbent performs a wide range of services, collaborating with interprofessional CEAT members to make eligibility determinations, tier level determinations, discharges, and appeals for the PCAFC. Responsibilities The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is one of the VHA's most rapidly growing service areas, as a result of infrastructure modernization, programming innovation, and expansion of population-served by the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) under MISSION Act. The program goal is to not only support caregivers in their role but to also promote their health and well-being through education, therapeutic engagement, and resource and service linkage. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz\_ua\_UU The incumbent serves as a core member of a VISN-level interprofessional group of clinical reviewers-the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT). The CEAT is responsible for reviewing complex PCAFC eligibility cases for admission, ongoing level of care adjustments, and discharge appropriateness. The CEAT is also responsible for adjudicating PCAFC applicant and participant first-level appeals sent from other CEATs within the same region and second-level appeals sent by CEATs based in other regions of the country. The incumbent must be sensitive to the issues and needs of Veterans and their families, when rendering clinical eligibility determinations, while also ensuring PCAFC applicants and ongoing participants meet the clinical eligibility criteria outlined in CSP PCAFC law and relevant CSP Directives. Major Duties: Responsible for expert knowledge of eligibility criteria for the PCAFC and all reporting requirements within the assigned VISN and the Appeal regions. Completing all reports, data, and maintain reporting requirements with outcomes related to the CSP Program. Using knowledge of the CSP to matrix Veteran level of functioning with the appropriate CSP services (i.e., Program of General Caregiver Support Services [PGCSS]; PCAFC; and/or Veteran entitlements and benefits) in order to ensure patient safety, recovery, and program stewardship. Functioning as a technical expert in clinical practice and/or CSP related to the assigned roles and responsibilities. Systematically evaluating current practice and formulating outcomes for groups of patients, caregivers, and/or organizational processes within area of expertise. Conducting comprehensive clinical review of patient records to identify the presence of Veteran level of functioning and corresponding need for assistance with personal care services and/or supervision or protection needs on a daily basis. Analyzing data obtained in record review for use in determining clinical eligibility for PCAFC. Additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Functional Statement #: 06263F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Must have a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level at the GS-12 grade level. This includes an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (PROVIDE COPY) IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GS-12 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-12 Grade Level: EXPERIENCE: must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. AND Applicants must also meet the Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Reference: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Must be able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions. Must be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time. Position requires close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.